How to Wash a Mattress Protector

May 18, 2021 | Casper Editorial Team

Your mattress protector is the silent guardian of your sleep health. It’s kind of like a fitted sheet that goes over your mattress and provides a fabric force field against enemies of hygienic slumber. Mattress protectors guard your mattress from stains, accidental spills, bacteria, and even some allergens. Meanwhile, your mattress protector also protects you from irritants like dust mites, mold, and dust. 

So how do you show your appreciation for your dreamland protector, your slumber savior, your paladin of perfect sleep? By washing it of course! 

Washing your mattress protector can help keep you and your mattress safe. But you need to know how to wash the encasement properly, and that’s what the experts at Casper are for! In which case, here’s how to wash mattress protectors the right way. 

How to Wash a Non-Machine Washable Mattress Protector (Like Casper’s)

Just like every sleeper has their own unique sleep needs, every mattress cover has their own washing needs. That’s why it’s paramount that you always check the label attached to the mattress protector and follow the washing instructions. 

While some mattress protectors are machine washable, we don’t recommend machine washing your Casper mattress protector to prevent shrinkage. After all, premium mattress protectors require delicate care for durability and longevity. Here are some quick instructions on how to clean a non-machine washable protector like Casper’s:

  1. Unzip and remove the mattress protector
  2. Gently dab and spot clean the area with a mild detergent.
  3. Hand-wash the top part of the cover.
  4. Air dry to avoid shrinkage that may incur with heat. 
  5. Wait until the mattress protector is fully dry before putting it back on your mattress.

Our premium mattress covers are designed for comfort and ultimate protection.

How to Care For a Machine Washable Mattress Protector

If you know that your mattress protector is machine washable, then you can follow the instructions below.

Step 1: Always Check the Label

When it comes to washing a machine washable mattress protector, be sure to look at the details on the care instruction label. Doing so will tell you everything you need to know about:

  • The temperature of water you should (or shouldn’t) use
  • The drier cycle that works best
  • Whether any special washing practices are recommended

Step 2: Wash It Up

Toss your mattress protector into the washing machine either on its own or with similar materials (think bed sheets or soft clothing). But we get that you may have some follow-up questions for exactly what wash is best.

  • What temperature water should I use? Cold water is preferred because it will prevent any of the fibers from shrinking. If you’ve watched a beloved sweater go from a perfect fit to how do I get this on, you’ve probably learned your lesson when it comes to washing delicate things with hot water.
  • What kind of laundry detergent should I use to clean my mattress cover? Use a mild detergent that doesn’t have any built-in softeners. Why? Because softeners can actually affect your mattress’s ability to absorb all the not-so-great stuff you want to keep off your mattress (we’re looking at you breakfast-in-bed stains).
  • What wash cycle is best for a mattress protector? It’s best to treat your beloved sleep protector with some TLC—set your washing machine to “delicate” or “gentle” to ensure your mattress encasement is thoroughly washed without being put through the (literal) wringer.

    Then, once the first wash cycle is through, add another rinse cycle to your washing machine to ensure all the laundry detergent is out. Dried-out detergent in the mattress protection material can irritate your skin through your fitted sheet and may lead to mold and mildew. Talk about a nightmare!

When it comes to cleaning a mattress protector, Casper keeps it simple with our incredibly durable and comfy Waterproof Mattress Protector. Strong against dirt, spills, and water, our latest model of mattress protectors can keep your mattress pristine and help you rest easy at night.

Step 3: Time to Dry

Once your mattress protector is squeaky clean, it’s time to get it all nice and dry before it goes back on protection duty. This step is important because if there’s too much moisture left over in the fabric, your mattress may switch to the dark side—that is, it may invite bacteria and mold to set up camp in your bed. 

There are a few ways you can dry your mattress protector safely, including:

  • Dry it in the dryer on tumble dry. As we mentioned, heat can shrink and damage this protective mattress encasement. To avoid going from a queen-sized protector to a twin, stick to low heat settings. Don’t be afraid to let your mattress hang out in the dryer for a while to ensure maximum dryness.
  • Air-dry it under the sun. If you have a clothesline in your backyard, let your mattress protector bask in the sunshine and soak up all those wonderful fresh-air smells. Your mattress protector will be dry in a few hours and it’ll carry that incomparable scent of sun-warmed fabric to your bedroom.
  • Use a fan. Hang your mattress protector in front of a big fan but first, make sure you’ve cleaned the fan blades. Dust can accumulate quickly on a fan, and when the blades start to spin, your mattress protector may go from fresh and clean to musty and dusty. You may have to rotate your mattress protector so that the fan can dry out every bit of its surface. 

How Often Should You Wash Your Mattress Protector

Now that we’ve answered “can you machine wash a mattress protector?” (yes) and “how to wash a mattress protector properly” (see above), but there’s one important question we still need to answer:

How often should I wash my mattress protector? 

Typically, you should wash your mattress protector using mild detergent every two months, but it depends on how you use it. Consider the following:

  • A mattress protector in a guest bedroom that doesn’t get used often should be cleaned every quarter.
  • If you have allergies, try cleaning your mattress protector about twice a month to prevent allergen build-up. 
  • If you’ve just gotten over an illness, a mattress protector should be cleaned as soon as you’re feeling better to help clear away any excess bacteria from sniffles or coughs.
  • And if you’ve spilled some late-night ice cream or morning coffee in bed? Don’t wait for the stain to set in. Throw your mattress in the wash right away, along with your bed sheet, and select the gentle cycle setting (just blot the excess stain with paper towels beforehand).

Good Clean, Sleepy Fun with Casper

From mattress protectors to pillowcases, at Casper, we know that every layer of your bedding makes a difference in your sleep. This is why we offer the most innovative mattresses, pillows, bed frames, and more to help you find your best sleep yet. 

Related Content:

What is a Mattress Protector?

Sources:

Today.com How to Clean a Mattress Pad. https://www.today.com/series/how-often-should-you/how-often-you-should-clean-your-mattress-pad-right-way-t53736